52 EGGS AND POULTRY 
curtains which let down to this dropping 
board enclosing the hens in this small space 
and making the danger of frozen combs very 
remote. 
Under the front edge of the dropping 
board is a line of nests made of two 8 inch 
boards, the lower one nailed tight but the 
upper one hinged to let down for gathering 
eges and cleaning nests. When the upper 
board is hooked up it presents a solid surface 
from the front, darkening the nests, entrance 
to which is from the rear. 
Dark nests are preferable 
to exposed ones as with 
them hens are less likely 
Détail of nests. to develop the egg-eating 
habit. 
Feed hoppers for dry mash, oyster shells, 
grit, etc., are placed along the walls—but not 
under the windows where the feed might get 
wet—on platforms about a foot from the 
floor. The feed and water troughs are 
V-shaped, both raised from the floor and 
with boards over their tops so the birds can 
reach the feed and the water, but cannot 
step into them. 
The floor is covered with 6 or 8 inches of 
straw thrown in from the bale. It is soon 
Rooat Board 
